What is regression?  

Potty-training regression is when a child who was previously using the potty starts having accidents or reverting to old habits. It's common and usually temporary, so it's important to approach it with patience and empathy  

Has your child lost interest in the toilet? Sometimes, children miss being praised for using the potty, they loved the attention. If the praise has stopped the child may stop. This is why verbal praise is so important even as days have passed.  

If verbal praise isn’t enough then try the sticker reward program. Remain positive and give them a special sticker every time they use the toilet. Give praise. You can use a sticker chart of use a (cheap) photo album as a stick book.  

A new baby in the house 👶 Some kids may have to compete with a new baby since they will be getting more of your attention for a while. Talk to your child, remind them that you are so proud of them. Keep using big girl or big boy.  

It’s also helpful to remind your child of all the things they can do as a big kid that a baby can’t do, like walk and talk. Make sure they know that they are a great helper and let them help with the baby at times.  

Slightly damp underwear? This is not a sign of regression. Your child is controlling the urge to pee and that is a good thing. Gently remind them to tell you or another grown up if they have to go pee. This is important because remember, children get easily distracted so they won’t want to stop something fun to go or they think they can hold it longer than they can. Communication.  

Have an accident while playing?  

Children are busy and highly focused on things they are doing. They hold out for as long as they can until they can’t anymore, resulting in accidents.  

Using a stern but not angry tone and remind them that they need to use the potty. Do not shame or scold the child, these are reminders and sometimes a stern tone will let them know you are serious without frightening them.   

If the child has 3 consecutive days with no accidents, they should receive a small prize or reward. Do NOT forget the praise!  

These steps are only to be followed if your child has been fully potty trained for more than a few days. Do NOT use these steps if you are currently using the 3-day method. 

What to do when traveling... 

Do NOT revert to using diapers or pull-ups for traveling. At this point your child should be potty-trained for several days – weeks before traveling.  

Traveling by car 🚗 

Encourage your child to use the potty before leaving for your trip.  

We suggest using a potty chair for the car. This way you can pull over to let your little one use the potty. Several times during the trip you will have to remind them to tell you so that you can pull over.  

Do not get frustrated if your child tells you they need to go after you’ve left a rest stop. It happens, especially when they are more interested in the hustle and bustle of the bathroom instead of using it.  

Bring extra clothes to be prepared for accidents. If you're worried about the car seat than maybe consider using the underwear inserts. Click here.  

Traveling by plane ✈️  

Again, try to get your child to use the bathroom before boarding the plane. This should be a little easier of a process because there is an inflight bathroom to use. As soon as you can move about the cabin, take your child to the bathroom. You will also want to do this right before the plane starts to prepare for landing.  

If you are unsure of the timing, politely ask a flight attendant to assist you before the flight takes off. Ask them to inform you before the plane is ready to start landing so that you can take your little to the potty before they put on the seatbelt light.  

The longer the flight, the more potty breaks you will have to take with your child. Be consistent, a change in scenery does not change the plan.  

This leads us to...Public Restrooms 🚽 

Public restrooms are exciting and stressful for a child. You can help make this process easier and a little fun so that they feel comfortable.

💡Ideas:

Create a fun little bag for your child complete with flushable wipes, hand sanitizer, stickers, and even toilet seat covers if wanted. CLICK HERE for toilet seat covers.  

If that isn’t possible use what you can. Have your child watch the process of putting on the toilet seat cover or toilet paper if the cover is unavailable.  

They will enjoy washing their hands since most restrooms have automatic faucets now and they can make bubbles with the soap.  

If possible, you can get a travel potty seat that goes with you into public restrooms. You can sanitize it at the sink and put it right back into its holder. You can find the one’s we like HERE.  

Safety First: Adult Supervision in Restrooms. Always prioritize your child's safety. Even in single-occupancy restrooms, it's important to accompany your child to ensure their well-being. Never leave them unattended.

Thank you for reading our newsletter on 3-Day Potty-Training! We hope this information empowers you to potty-train your child with confidence and ease. Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we'll share more expert tips and product recommendations.

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